Port of Oakland gets $12.45 million for traffic improvements

The Port of Oakland has received final funding for a seaport technology program that could improve traffic management, security systems, and roadway improvements, port officials said today.

The Alameda County Transportation Commission received $12.45 million from the California Transportation Commission for the implementation of the Freight Intelligent Transportation System (FITS) program at the Port of Oakland, officials said.

FITS includes 15 freight technology demonstration projects, designed to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow for truckers who haul cargo containers in and out of Oakland. It will also update security systems and provide a common communication platform for first responders, the Port added.The FITS demonstration projects include:

• Interagency emergency operations and traffic management center;
• WiFi for truckers to access traffic and terminal gate updates;
• Changeable message signs to show traffic delays for truckers;
• Vehicle queue detection for accurate measurement of truck turn times;
• Mobile phone app for truckers.

The Alameda County Transportation Commission will administer construction of 13 FITS improvement projects, while the port itself will administer construction of the two security related projects. "This funding will help improve the Port's maritime operations," Port of Oakland Director of Maritime John Driscoll said in a release. "FITS will help reduce truck wait times and provide a safer and more secure maritime area."

FITS is also a component of the Transportation Commission's GoPort Program designed to improve freight movement in the Oakland Seaport area. The GoPort Program also provides air quality benefits through reductions in truck idling and street congestion resulting from freight movement efficiency. The total cost of the FITS program is $30.6 million and all projects are scheduled to be completed by late 2021, followed by 12 months of systems testing. The project is expected to go live in late 2022.

Cargo volume at the port was up nearly 11 percent in March over 2018 levels, contributing to a 4 percent bump for the first quarter, the port reported last month.